Applies ToOffice 365 Small Business Microsoft 365 admin Skype for Business Skype for Business for Mac Skype for Business Online operated by 21Vianet

Step 1: Stop Skype for Business from starting automatically

  1. In Skype for Business, choose the tools icon and Tools > Options.

    In Skype for Business, choose the Tool icon, then Tools >  Options

  2. Choose Personal, then uncheck Automatically start the app when I log on to Windows and Start the app in the foreground. Then choose OK.

    Choose Personal, then unselect the options to start automatically.

  3. Choose File > Exit.

    To exit Skype for Business, choose the gear icon, then File > Exit

Skype for Business is still on your computer, but you'll no longer see it.

Step 2: Remove Skype for Business from your computer

IMPORTANT: If you are using Microsoft 365Skype for Business, you can't delete it from your computer without also uninstalling the rest of the Office suite. This is because it's integrated with the other Office apps. The following instructions are for customers who have standalone versions of Skype for Business.

  1. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > Uninstall or change a program.

  2. Choose Skype for Business > Uninstall. If you don't see Skype for Business listed, then you're using a version that's integrated with other Microsoft 365 apps. The only way to uninstall it is to remove all of Office from your computer.

    In the Control Panel, choose Uninstall Programs, then choose Skype for Business

  3. At the Ready to uninstall? box, choose Uninstall.

  4. When it's done uninstalling, choose Close.

Remove Skype for Business from your registry

If the above instructions don't work for you, then another option is to disable it in your registry. For instructions, see this post in the Skype community: Completely Uninstall Skype for Business.

You can uninstall Skype for Business on Mac so you don't see it on your Dock in a few easy steps.

To uninstall Skype for Business on Mac

  1. To remove the Skype for Business icon Skype for Business launch icon from your Dock, sign out of Skype for Business on Mac.

    Sign out
  2. Close the Skype for Business on Mac sign in page.

  3. Press Control and click Skype for Business launch icon at the same time. Choose Quit.

  4. Open Finder > Applications. Scroll to Skype for Business. Drag and drop it into the Trash.

If this procedure doesn't solve the problem, use the more detailed procedure in How to do a clean uninstallation of Skype for Business on Mac.

See Also

Uninstall Skype for Business on a mobile device

Install Skype for Business

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